cliff would be a big blow to the economy. >> it would be very damaging to average americans. there's no doubt about it. >> going over the cliff will hurt our economy, will hurt our job creation in our country. it's not fair to the american people. >> reporter: without a deal to cut the deficit, almost everybody's income taxes will go up january 1st. it's more than that. there will be automatic cuts to defense, to medicare doctors, to unemployment benefits. and that could mean another recession, but -- >> right now, i would say we're nowhere. period. we're nowhere. >> reporter: the white house is standing firm on taxes. >> rates have to go up. >> whose taxes are you going to raise? >> rates are going to have go up on wealthy americans. >> reporter: in addition to $1.6 trillion in tax hikes, the white house's latest offer includes $400 billion in unspecified medicare cuts and no limit on how much the government can borrow. the republican response? >> i was just flabbergasted. i looked at him and said, you can't be serious. >> reporter: two prominent republicans told me that hou